Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,038, George Fletcher, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Fletcher, George
NUMBER
S. 13038
CONTENTS
carded.

Virginia
16.6.59
Dead. See letter April 1835 to S.C. Williams.
George Fletcher -
1 Shurand in the State of Va who was a Pr. in the Rec commanded by Captain of the Rec commanded by Col. M. Hays in the Va line for 2 years -
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia the rate of 80-Dollars Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept. 33. and Sarah Philip Williams Woodstock - Va
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 2.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 mar. 34 4.00 $24.00 -
Revolutionary Claim, } Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 8

John Fletcher Va.
Admit as a private 2 years $80 Not on roll
Return J. —
Philip Williams C.C. Woodstock Shenandoah Co. Va.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
14 May — 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of George Fletcher General @ V a
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 5 Regt 8 th Inf try discharged 10 days after enlistment 2 Capt Ruple Genl Scott " Parker Alm M c Kinney Fort Bragg V a Pa n. J. London Co V a 88 None if not on roll }  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Woodstock Vt Decr 13. 1839
Free
Dec. 15. Jan.
George Fletcher 20830
Gen. Lewis Cass. Secretary at War.
Washington City
D o Columbia
Revolutionary Claims Pension Papers. 8
that the served as unit of the

Virginia, Shenandoah County) S-
On this 10 th day of December, personally, appeared before the County Court of the said County of Shenandoah, George Fletcher, a resident of the county and State aforesaid aged eighty eight years on the 1 st day of May last past, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year with Capt Andrew Riegel and served in the 5 th Regiment of the Virginia State Troops, under the following named officers, Generals Scott, and Parker, Capt. Andrew Riegel, James McElhaney first Lieutenants, William Lane second Lieutenant and William Smith ensign. Enlisted at Leesburg Loudon County Va with James McElhaney for two years. I lived near the Short Hills in Loudon County where I enlisted. Marched from Leesburg to Dumfries, from there to Fredericksburg, from there to Bowling Green, from there to Williamsburg, from there to York, from there to Williamsburg, from there down to Suffolk, from there to Portsmouth from there to Norfolk from there back to Williamsburg and from there back to York. From there on Water to Annapolis, from there to the Head of Elk from there to Wilmington from there to Chester Pa, from there by way to Trenton, from there to Princeton from there to Brunswick from there to Amboy, from there to Elizabethtown from there Newark from there to Springfield, from there back to Brunswick from there back to Princeton from there to Trenton, from there to Bucks County Pa from there to Trenton where the Hessians were taken from there to Newto Bucks county Pa from there back to Trenton where we were engaged in a small skirmish. then by night we marched to Princeton where a considerable number of Prisoners were taken, from there back to Brunswick river from there to Morristown where I was discharged my discharge was signed by James McElhaney which on my return home was left with my Sister, who removed from Loudon County till to what place I am unable to say not having heard from her since. Whilst at Portsmouth Va I volunteered for a special purpose under Capt Johnston to defend a Fort against the British it was about 15 miles up the river and was near a bridge. The British Officer sent an Officer to demand a surrender of the Fort, which was refused and the Capt Forsythe in attempting to take it whilst crossing the bridge was killed, the enemy retreated. Your petitioner believes the battle was called the battle of the Great Bridge.

It may be suggested as an objection against the account given of my service, that I was not engaged in several battles fought in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. When the Battle of Brandywine was fought, I was Sick in the Hospital at Downingtown, and it being many years since the war and not expecting to receive a pension, many particulars I could have named, which I have forgotten. (Your Petitioner for the same reason is unable to state when (or the precise time) I entered the service, nor do I recollect the day or month in which I was discharged, but believe it was about four months previous to the battle of the Great Bridge, that I enlisted.
* I do hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
George Hattell J. P.
George his Fletcher mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed Applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I Philip Williams clerk of the County Court of Shenandoah, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of George Fletcher for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 10 th day of December 1832 and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
Teste P. Williams C.S.
* Your Petitioner upon reflection is enabled to state in order to ascertain the date of his enlistment that he was discharged from his service or term of ten days after General Moreau was killed.

Perman
13038 INVALID.
File No. 13,038 George H. H. H. Dani R. W. W.
Act: June 7th 1852.
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Woodstock N.Y. April 1 st 1835
Free
Mr. M. Allen Geo. Fletcher Mr. [unclear]
J. Edwards 16 Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Woodstock Virginia
March 21 st 1835
Dr Sir,
In the month of December last a pensioner by the name of George Fletcher who resided in this county died leaving several heirs. He however died in the house of a stranger and the money which he had did not pay the expenses of his last sickness and burial. I should be glad to know whether by this stranger administering on his estate could draw the balance due to the time of his death and appropriate it towards the payment of these expenses. He did possess of no property real or personal. If it can be drawn by his administrator please let me know, and give any further information you may deem proper.
J. L. Edward Esq.
I am respectfully
Yours.
Saml. C. Williams

I John Saflinger of the county of Rockingham and state of Virginia do hereby certify that during the revolutionary war my father was a resident in the county of Loudoun the state of Virginia, and that he was acquainted with previous to the war of said war with George Fletcher, and that said George worked for my Father, (he being a blacksmith by trade) - after the war commenced said Fletcher enlisted in the regular army, and as I understood under a capt Russell, I seen him, the said Flet- cher after he was enlisted, dressed in uniform attending to the duties of a soldier, I continued to live with my Father in Loudoun until after the close of the war, when said Fletcher again returned home from the war, and it was no- toriously known and understood there that the said Fletcher had been a soldier in the war, and of which I am entirely certain, and that said Fletcher was considered a clever active young man in them days, that being his character among those who spoke of him and who were well acquai- nted with him Given under my hand this 29 th day of July 1833
John his Saflinger mark
Rockingham county to wit,
This day John Saflinger personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in the county aforesaid and made oath to the above statement subscribed by him the said Saflinger and given over

under my hand this 29 th day of July 1853
Sam O'Cooper S d
I do hereby certify that the within named John Griffing is a highly respectable citizen and known to be a man of truth, a credit in the neighbourhood, and that I have never in any instance, heard his integrity or veracity doubted — Given under my hand this 29 th day of July 1853
Sam O'Cooper
Virginia to wit
I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the County of Rockingham, do hereby certify that Samuel O'Cooper esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been made is an acting Magistrate in and for the said County, duly Commissioned, and qualified as such, and that the signature is his true and correct signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of my said County the 10 th day of August 1853, and in the 58 th year of the Commonwealth
H. J. Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County Virginia